Metal-drawing machine.



L. H. BRINKMAN.

METAL DRAWING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED 1ULY24, I912.

,latmltvd June 15, 1915.

2 SHEETS -SHEET I.

\W. 7 INVENTOR (W272i 7 WITNESSES L. H. BRINKMAN. METAL DRAWING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED 1uL'Y24. I912.

Patented June 15, 1915.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

' NORA/5Y5 WITNESSES v we ,or cum nm comma, or BALTIMORE, i

w a cotton or i JEY, ASSIGNOB TO BALTIMORE TUBE YLAND.

mn'razpnnawme mo iner.

Specification of Letters Patent. Patented ql 35, 1915.,

ap licatio mea'aa'i M, 1912; serial No.'711,20e.

machines and more particularly to machines for drawing metal tubes and rods.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide a durable and eflicient machine'by which metal tubes or rods of considerable length may be rapidly drawn down to the desired diameter.

Another object of the invention is to provide a metal drawing machine having a rotary ball die and a finishing die through which dies the tubes or rods are drawn, the ball die serving to reduce the diameter of the tube a considerable amount at each draw, while the other die serves to smooth out any unevenness or ball marks in the tubes or rods and give themagood finish and a uniform diameter. l

Another object of the invention is to provide a rotary ball die which maybe adj usted to given desired diameters, preferably without shutting down the machine, so that after each draw the die may be adjusted to reduce its diameter to a given size for the succeeding draw without shutting down the machine. The feature of adjusting the diameter of the die during the drawing operation without shutting down the machine enables me to draw tapering tubes or to draw with great accuracy tubes having portions of different thicknesses as may be desired. I

My invention will be more readily understood and further objects of the invention will more fully appear from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, and in which Figure 1 is a side elevation of a. metal drawin machine embodying the preferred form 0 my invention; Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the same; Fig. 3 is an enlarged elevation of a part of the machine showing the ball die and finishing die in section; and Fig. 4 is a further enlarged sectional view of the ball die showing the manner in which the die is adjusted according to the preferred form of the invention.

Referring to the drawings (Figs. 1 and 2) 1 is a platform or table on one end of which is mounted a rotary motor 2 adjacent to which. a suitable frame 3 is molmted in which the rotary ball die, hereinafter referred to, is journaled. The annular finishing die 4 (hereinafter referred 'to) ismounted on the table adjacent to the ball die and in alinement therewith, and at the rear of the finishing die a trackwa'y ,5 extends along the table in alinement with the dies. A draw head 6 and a following block? are mounted gripping jaws 9 adapted to grip onto a plug" or other suitable means 10 secured in the end of the tube v11 to be drawn, while the other extremity of the tongs is provided with toggle links and a connecting hook 12 connecting the tongs to the draw head 6 which is, in turn, provided with a pivoted book 13 having a handle-14 by means of which it is lifted into and outof engagement with an endless chain 15 passing over sprocket wheels 16 and 17 mounted near the opposite 'ends of the table. The chain is driven by means of a suitable motor 18 geared to the sprocket wheel 17 through gear wheels 19, 20, 21 and 22.

When the machine is used for drawing tubes instead of rods, I provide a mandrel 24 which is sup orted at one end in an 0 en slot 25 in the ead' ofa pillowblock 26. The mandrel is preferably of less diameter than the tube to be drawn, and extends throu h the motor to the ball die, and is provided with an enlarged head 27 resting in the plane of the ball die and of the desired inner diameter of the finished tube.

Referrin to Fig. 3, a hollow spindle 28 is journale in a ring 29 fitting in one end t the supporting frame 3 which extends out over the die block. The adjusting device,

.which is in the form of a cap, has an end 52 1 1 "lock of the cheek plates and is provided rtionel surrounding the end of the die with an opening 42 in alinement with the hollow spindle.

Inorder to avoid friction between the adjusting device and the adjacent cheek plate 33 in adjusting the die while the machine is int) ration, and to take up the thrust from the all dies, I provide ball bearings 43 between the cheek plate 33 and the surrounding portion 41 o the adjusting device; and I also provide ball bearings 44 between the inner end f the die block and the adjacent wall-of the supporting frame 3.

The adjusting device 38 is operated by a handle or pin 46 which is adapted to fit into holes 47 around the circumference of the flange 39 of the adjusting device, by means of which the adjusting device may be screwed in and out alon the annular threaded extension of the rame.

If it is desired to reduce the diameter of the die, i.e., the distance between diametrically opposite balls in the raceway,'the operator inserts handle 46 in one of the sockets 47 on adjusting cap 38 and rotates it in a direction to move it toward the main frame 3, whereupon the inward thrust of the cap upon bearing late 33 causes the same to be moved inwar ly, thereupon narrowing the the die balls 36' tapering raceway, CEIISII1% to be forced in to reduce t e diameter of the die. Conversely, if it is desired to enlarge the diameter, the operator rotates the adjustable cap 38 in the opposite direction, relieving plate 33 of the thrust, so that when-the tube is pulled over the mandrel against the balls, it forces the balls outwardly, thereby shifting the die plate 33 away from the late 32, so that the raceway is widened an the balls may move outwardly under the pressure from the tube, resulting in enlarging the diameter of the die.

, In the present form of my invention the annular flange of the adjusting device and an adjacent part of the stationary frame 3 are provided one with a aduated scale 53 and the other with a pointer 54, whereby the adjusting device may be set within proper limits for any desired diameter. to which the tube or rod is to be drawn down.

By this arrangement, each time after the tube has been drawn through the machine, the ball die ma be adjusted for the succeedingdrawing without having to shut down the machine. I

In order to efficiently draw tubing or rods with rotar ball dies, it is necessary that the die shoul rotate at a high speed; and in order to accomplish this purpose and to simplify the machine, I mount the motor 2, as previously mentioned, on a table in alinement with the ball die and connect the rotor 48 of the motor directly to the hollow spindle 28. In the present form of my invention, I use an electric motor to drive the hollow spindle and mount the armature of the motor on an extension 28' of the hollow spindle, the two parts of the spindle being provided with flanges 49 secured together'by bolts 50.

The finishing die 4 consists of a frame 51 having an open end in which the die plate 52' is mounted The opening of the finishing eter.

The operation of the embodiment'of the invention above described is as follows: The mandrel 24 is lifted out of the socket 25 and the tube 11 to be drawn is slipped over the rear end of the mandrel and through the hollow spindle 28 past the ball die and the finishing die, if one is used in the first draw the forward end of the tube being slightly tapered so as to pass through the latter die. The plug 10 is then threaded or otherwise secured into the forward end of the tube, and this plug is gripped by the tongs 8 which are then connected to the draw head 6. .The handle 14 of'the draw head is' then operated to throw the book 13 into enagement with one of the links of the endfiess chain 15, and the motor 2 driving the ball die is then started up. The adjusting device 38 is then moved to the desired setting, as indicated by the scale 53, and the motor 18 operating the endless chain is then started, whereupon'the tube-is drawn forward through the ball die, which reduces the tube to the outer diameter to which the ball die is set. After the tube has been completely drawn through the die, the handle 14 will be thrown back to release the hook 13 on the endless chain, whereupon the ball die is ad'usted for the next draw and the tube is eased from the tongs and is again die of the proper diameter The draw head and tongs are now moved toward the forward end of the table and the tube is again gripped b the tongs, whereupon the handle 14 is't rown down to'engage the hook 13 in the endless chain and the tube is again drawn through the die, and so on until it has been drawn down to the desired diameter. 7

By the provision of-means for adjusting thedie during the drawing operation, tapering. tubes can be drawn by varying the diameter of the ball die and shifting the tapered head 27 of the mandrel during the drawing operation, and if desired, tubes of varying thicknesses-may be drawn simply by manipulating the adjusting device to redues or enl ar e the diameter of the ball die during the grawing operation. This last feature is useful in drawing boiler tubes, etc.

The head 27 of the mandrel has a short tapering portion of gradually reduced diameter, so that by shifting the head to the left from therposition shown in Fig. 3, the extreme" end portion of smaller diameter is brought under the die balls so that tubes of smaller inner diameter'may be drawn when the head is thus shifted.

While I have shown and described my invention in what I- believe to be'its preferred embodiment, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made in the ,construction and arrangement of the parts without departing from the, spirit or scope of the invention, and I do not wish to be understoodas limiting myself other than as indicated in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Let ters Patent, is:

1. In a ball die for drawing metal tubes,

bearings for supporting die balls, a rotatable frame in whlch said bearings are mounted, means for rotating said frame, a

- series of die balls mounted on said bearings,

a fixed mandrel extending within the die against which the tube is pressed by the balls, means for drawing the tube between the mandrel and the dieballs, and means operatively related to said relatively adjustable bearings for adjusting the same one with respect to the other to vary the diametor of the die.

In a ball die for drawing metal tubes, the combination of two balldie supporting bearings adjustable one relative to the other longitudinally of the axis of the die and having adjacent surfaces forming a race way for die balls, die balls mounted in said raceway and adapted to engage the-outer,

surface of tubes to be drawn, a fixed mandrel extendin within the die, means for producing re ative rotation between the mandrel and the ball die bearings, means for drawing the tube between the mandrel and the die balls, and means operatively related to said ball die bearings for adjusting the same one with respect to the other to vary the diameter of the die.

3. In a ball die for drawing metal tubes, the combination of a pair of ball die sup porting 'bearings having annular bearing surfaces for the balls converging from the axis of the die to form a raceway for die balls, said bearings being relatively adjustable axially of the die, die balls mounted in said raceway adapted to engage the outer. surfaces of tubes to be drawn, means for rotating the ball die bearings, 'means for drawing the tubes through the ball die,and means operatively related to said ball die bearings for adjusting the same one with respect to the other to vary the diameter of the die.

4. In a ball die for drawing metal, the combination of adjustable ball-supporting means, a series of balls mounted therein, 'means for rotating said adjustable ball-supportingmeans, a non-rotatable frame, and means adj ustably mounted on the frame and operatively related to the ball-supporting means to vary the diameter of the die:

In a ball die for drawing metal, the

combination of two ball-supporting parts a normally stationary adjusting device mounted on the frame and operatively re; lated to one of said rehrtively adjustable ball-supporting parts to force said part toward the other ball-supporting part to vary i the diameter of the die. the combination of relatively adjustable .able parts, a series of balls mounted in said means, a non-rotatable frame, and means adjustably mounted on the frame and operatively related to one of the ballsupporting parts to move the same to vary the diameter of the die.

8. In a-ball die for drawing metal, the combination of a hollow rotatable spindle, two ball-supporting parts carried by the two ball-supporting parts carried by the spindle and relatively adjustable axially thereof, the adjacent surfaces. of said parts being shaped to form a raceway therebetween with an inclined wall, a series of balls in the raceway, a stationary frame, and means adj ustablymounted on the frame and operatively related to one of said relatively adjustable ball-supporting parts to foroe it toward the other part so as to narrow the raceway and force the balls inward to vary the diameter of the die.

10. In a ball die for drawing metal, the combination of a hollow rotatable spindle, two ball-su porting parts carried by the spindle an relatively adjustable axially thereof, the adjacent surfaces of said parts being shaped to form a raceway therebetween with an inclined Wall, a series of balls in the raceway, a stationary frame, a normally stationary adjusting device operatively related to one of said relatively.adjustable ball-supporting parts to force it toward the other part, and ball bearings between said adjusting part and said ballsupporting part for receiving the thrust from the ball dies.

11. In a ball die for drawing metal, the combination of a hollow rotatable spindle, two ball-supporting parts carried by the spindle. and relatively adjustable axially thereof, the adjacent surfaces of said parts being shaped to form ,a raceway therebetween with an inclined wall, a series of balls in the raceway, a stationary frame, means adjustably mounted on the frame and having a part surrounding the end of the die toward which the metal is drawn, and ball bearings between said surrounding part and the adjacent ball-supporting part for taking up the thrust from the ball dies.

12. In a ball die for drawing metal, the combination of a hollow rotatable spindle, two ball-supporting parts carried by the spindle and relatively adjustable axially thereof, the adjacent surfaces of said parts being shaped to form a raceway therebetween with an inclined wall, a series of balls in the raceway, a stationary frame, a normally stationary adjusting device having a part surrounding the end of the die toward which the metal is drawn, and ball bearings bearings between said surrounding part and adjustable ball-supporting part or taking up the thrust from the ball dies. 13. In a ball die for drawing metal, the combination of a stationary frame, a hollow rotatablespindle journaled in the frame, ad-

justable ball-supporting means carried on the spindle, a series of balls mounted in said means, and means adjustably mounted on the frame and operat vely related to said adjustable ball-supporting means for adjusting the same to vary the diameter of the die. 7

14. In a ball die for drawing metal, the combination of a hollow rotatable spindle, a frame in which the spindle is journaled, a die-block carried at one end of the spindle and having an opening therein in alinement with the spindle, die, cheek plates mounted in said opening and relatively adjustable axiallyofj the spindle and vhaving an opening therethrou h concentric with the spindle, a raceway or die balls formed in the adjacent surfaces of the plates and having an inclined wall, a series of balls in said raceway, and an adjusting device operatively related to one,of the cheek plates.

with the spindle, die cheek plates mounted in said opening and relatively adjustable axially of the spindle and having an open ing therethrough concentric with the spindle, a raceway for .die balls-formed in the adjacent surfaces of the plates and having an inclined wall, a series of balls in' said raceway, a normally stationary adjusting device having a part surrounding the end of the die and operatively related to one of the cheek plates for moving the same axially, and 'ball bearings between said cheek plates and the adjacent part of the adjusting device.

16. In a ball die for drawing metal, the combination of a hollow rotatable spindle, a die-block carried at one end, of the spindle and having an opening therein in alinement with thespindle, die cheek plates mounted eratively related to oneof the cheek plates to move the same axially to vary the diameter of the die.

means carried on the spindle,

17. In a ball die for drawing metal, the combination of a hollow rotatable spindle, a rotary motor having its rotatable member directly connected to said spindle for driving the same, adjustable ball-supporting balls mounted in said means, and means operatively related to said adjustable ballsupporting means for adjusting the same to varythe diameter of the die.

18.'In a ball die for drawing metal, the combination of a hollow rotatable spindle, a rotary motor having its rotatable part directly connected to said spindle, two ballsupporting parts carried by the spindle and relatively adjustable axially thereof, the adjacent surfaces of said parts being shaped to form a raceway therebetween with an inclined bottom wall, a series of balls in the raceway, a'stationary frame, and a normally stationary adjusting device adjustably mounted on the, frame and operatively related to one of the adjustable ball-supporting parts to force it toward the other part so as to narrow the raceway and .force the balls inward j to vary the diameter of the die. 19. In a ball die for drawing metal tubmg, the combination of a hollow rotatable spindle, a rotary motor having its rotatable part mountedon the hollow spindle, two ball-supporting parts carried by the spindle and relatively adjustable axially thereof, the adjacent surfaces of said parts being shaped to form a raceway therebetween with an inclined wall, a series of balls in the raceway; a stationary frame, a normally stationary adjusting device adjustably mounted on the frame and operatively related to one of the adjustable ball-supporting parts to force it toward the other part'so as to narrow the raceway and force the balls inward to vary the diameter of the die, and a mandrel extending through the rotatable part of the motor and the spindle and havmg a part surroundedlby the die balls and against which the die balls force the tube.

20. In a ball die for drawing metal tubing, the combination of a hollow rotatable spindle, a frame in which the spindle is journaled, a rotary motor having its rotatable part mounted on the hollow spindle. a die-block carried at one end of the spindle and having an opening therein in alinement with the spindle, die cheek plates mounted in said opening and relatively adjustable axially of the spindle and having an opening therethrough concentric with the spindle, a raceway for die balls formed in the adjacent surfaces of the plates and having an inclined wall, a series of balls in said raceway, an adjusting device operativelv a series of related to one of the cheek lates for movmg it axially to vary the iameter of the die, and a mandrel extending through the rotor of the motor and through the spindle and having a part surrounded by the die balls and against which the tube is forced.

21. In a ball die for drawing metal tub- 1ng, the combination of a hollow rotatable spindle, a rotarv motor having its rotatable part directly connected to the spindle, adjustable ball-supporting means carried on the spindle, a series of balls mounted in said means, means operatively related to said adjustable ball-supporting means for adjusting the same to vary the diameter of the die, and a mandrel extending through the motor and the spindle and having a part surrounded by the die balls and against which the die balls force the tube.

22. In a ball die, the combination of a r0- tatable hollow spindle, a frame in which the spindle is journaled, said frame having a threaded annular part, die cheek plates carried at the end of the spindle and relatively movable axially thereof and having an opening therethrough concentric with the spindle, the adjacent faces of the cheek plates forming a raceway having an inclined wall, a series of ball dies in said raceway, an ad -justing device having a flange threaded on fitting between said adjusting device and the adjacent cheek plate to take the thrust from the die balls.

23. In a ball die, the combination of 0. r0- tatable hollow spindle, a frame in which the spindle is journaled, die cheek plates carried at the end of the spindle and relatively movable axially thereof and having an openin therethrough concentric with the spindle, t e adjacent faces of the plates forming a raceway having an inclined wall, a series of die balls in said raceway, an annularfiange on the supporting frame surrounding the spindle and cheek plates, ball bearings between the frame and the ad acent cheek plate, a cap piece threaded on the annular flange of the frame and having an opening in alinement with the spindle, and ball bearings between the cap piece and the adjacent cheek plate for receiving the thrust from the ball dies.

24. In a ball die, the combination of an elongated hollow spindle, a frame in which the spindle is journaled, a die block earned at the end of the spindle, cheek plates mounted in said block and relatively movable axially of the spindle and having an opening therethrough concentric with the spindle, the adjacent faces of the plates forming a raceway having an lnchned wall, a series of die balls in said raceway, an annular flange on the frame surrounding the spindle and cheek plates, ball bearings between the frame and the adjacent cheek plate, a cap piece threaded on the annular flange of the frame and having an opening in alinement with the spindle, and ball bearings between the cap piece and the adjacent cheek plate for receiving the thrust from the ball dies.

In a machine for drawing metal tubing, the combination of a hollow rotatable spindle. adjustable ball-supporting means carried on the spindle, a series of balls mounted in said means, means operatively related to said adjustable ball-supporting means for adjusting the same to vary the diameter of the die, a rotary motor having its rotatable member directly connected to saidspindle for driving the same, a table, a trackway on the table, a draw head adapted to move on the trackway, means for connecting the draw head with the tube, means for moving the draw head along the trackway,

a mandrel extending through the motor and hollow spindle and having a art surrounded by the die balls and against which the tube is forced, and a support for the rear end of the mandrel in which it is removably held.

.26. In a machine for drawing metal tubing, the combination of a table, a hollow rotatable spindle mounted on said table, a rotary motor also mounted on the table and having its rotatable part directly connected to the spindle, adjustable ball-supporting means carried on the spindle, a series of balls mounted in said means, means operatively related to said adjustable ball-supporting means for adjusting the same to vary the diameter of the die, a mandrel extending through the motor and the hollow spindle and having a part surrounded by the die balls and against which the balls force the tube, a trackway on the table arranged longitudinally thereof, a draw head adapted to move in said trackway, means for connecting said draw head to the tube, and means for moving the draw head along the trackway.

27. In a ball die for drawin metal, the combination of a hollow rotata le spindle, a rotary motor connected to said s indl'e, two ball-supporting parts carried y the spindle and relatively adjustable axially thereof, the adjacent surfaces of said parts being shaped to form a racewa therebetween with an inclined wall, a series of balls in the raceway, a stationary frame, and a normally stationary adjusting device adjustably mounted on the frame and operatively related to one of the adjustable ball-supportingparts to force it toward the other part so as to narrow the raceway and force the balls inward to vary the diameter of the die, said frame and adjusting device having a scale and marker whereby the adjusting device may be set at any desired position while the machine is in o oration.

In testimony whereof, have signed my name to this specification, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

LOUIS H. BRINKMAN.

Witnesses EDWIN Suenn, SAMUEL M. Wain), Jr. 

